Qatar in 1999

Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifah ath-Thani, in 1999 elaborated further on his vision for the country’s future development. It would continue to proceed along three main lines. First, in cooperation with the Mobil Corp. and other multinational energy firms, Qatar would increase the production and exportation of the world’s largest offshore natural gas deposits to improve the economic well-being of its citizens, whose per capita incomes were expected soon to surpass those of Brunei’s as the highest in the world. Second, using the revenues from its natural gas exports, Qatar would continue to make major investments in education. The emir’s wife led the drive to open a branch of an American university in Qatar that would educate and train Qatari students to run the country’s burgeoning economy. Third, the emir appointed a 32-member committee to draft a permanent constitution.

In addition, Qatar further opened its economy to foreign investment in equity-sharing arrangements with most of the world’s leading multinational oil and gas firms. Also, in what was a first for the Arabian Peninsula countries, women voted and campaigned as candidates in elections in March for Doha’s municipal council.